OBSERVATIONS ON A LIBEL. 399 



pestering of people in houses, the great multitude of 

 strangers, and the sundry voyages by seas, all which 

 have been noted to be causes of pestilence, the health 

 universal of the people was never so good. 



The third blessing is that which all the politic 

 and fortunate kings before recited have wanted ; 

 that is, peace : for there was never foreigner since 

 her majesty s reign, by invasion or incursion of 

 moment, that took any footing within the realm of 

 England. One rebellion there hath been only, but 

 such an one as was repressed within the space 

 of seven weeks, and did not waste the realm so much 

 as by the destruction or depopulation of one poor 

 town. And for wars abroad, taking in those of 

 Leith, those of Newhaven, the second expedition into 

 Scotland, the wars of Spain, which I reckon from 

 the year eighty-six or eighty-seven, (before which 

 time neither had the king of Spain withdrawn his 

 ambassadors here residing ; neither had her majesty 

 received into protection the United Provinces of the 

 Low Countries,) and the aid of France ; they have 

 not occupied in time a third part of her majesty s 

 reign ; nor consumed past two of any noble house ; 

 whereof France took one, and Flanders another ; and 

 very few besides of quality or appearance. They 

 have scarce mowed down the overcharge of the 

 people within the realm. It is therefore true, that 

 the kings aforesaid, and others her majesty s pro 

 genitors, have been victorious in their wars, and 

 have made many famous and memorable voyages 

 and expeditions into sundry parts ; and that her 



